A fan of Neil Simon’s plays, Lisa Cesnik is excited to direct the Springer Opera House’s version of Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” that opens tonight.
The comedy was one of Broadway’s longest-running non-musical plays (1963-67) and starred Robert Redford and Elizabeth Ashley. Redford went on to star in the movie version with Jane Fonda in 1967. The 2006 Broadway revival starred Amanda Peet and Patrick Wilson.
The play is about a free-spirited young woman, Corie, played by Lena Thomas, who marries a straight-laced man, Paul, played by Casey Ross. After a six-night honeymoon at the lavish Plaza Hotel, they move into a tiny, walk-up apartment in New York City. The young married couple has to contend with various issues, including Corie’s mother and their odd neighbors.
The title refers to conservative Paul who goes running barefoot through a park after having a few drinks one night after his wife complains about his usual cautious behavior.
Behind the scenes
Ross said life is imitating the play. He and Thomas fell in love while on the road with “Route 66,” a Springer Theatricals touring production.
Jo Howarth, who plays Corie’s mother, and one of the neighbors, Victor Velasco, played by Jon Hayden, have a romantic encounter in the play but that does not reflect real life, Howarth says. Having known each other for years, this is the first time the two actors have appeared on the same stage together.
Howarth has performed in this play before. She played the part of Corie when she was 17.
Timeless themes
Cesnik calls the show “a screwball comedy.” Though it’s set in 1963, she thinks the play is still relevant today and doesn’t seem dated.
“What makes it a classic that keeps on entertaining people is that it is rooted in real love,” she said. “What’s happening on stage is something that you can really relate to.”
Ross agreed. The play is all about love and marriage, he said.
“You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll fall down the stars,” he said. “It’s very valid. The themes are contemporary.”
Some of the younger actors weren’t familiar with the play before rehearsals began.
Thomas said she hadn’t seen the play or the movie and hadn’t read the script until recently.
Recent Columbus State University theater graduate Jim Pharr, who plays a delivery man, said “My generation has never heard of it.”
As rehearsals drew to a close last week, the actors expressed excitement to present the play.
“It’s going to be a blast,” Thomas said. “I can’t wait to have an audience.”
CAST LIST
Paul Bratter: Casey Ross is from historic Dodge City, Kan. He was most recently seen on the Springer Opera House stage as Harker in “Dracula.” He has been in “The Full Monty,” “God’s Man in Texas,” “Noises Off!” and the Springer Theatricals tour of “Route 66.” It was on the tour of “Route 66” where he met his real-life love, Lena Thomas, who played bass in the band. Their lives now mirror that of Corie and Paul, as they live in a similarly cramped apartment in Los Angeles. He has been in films, music videos and commercials, most notably as Larry Light, the spokesman for Mike’s Lite Hard Lemonade web campaign.
Corie Bratter: Lena Thomas was last seen at the Springer as Lucy in “Dracula.” Favorite stage credits include “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Communicating Doors” and “Fuddy Meers.” Favorite film credits include “The Love Agent,” “Guard of the Stars” and “Fatigues.” She has also been a guest star on the web series, “Boystown.” She now lives in Los Angeles with actor Casey Ross, and yes, their neighbors are crazy.
Victor Velasco: Jon Hayden graduated from Carnegie Mellon with his bachelor’s degree of fine arts in theater. He toured with Theater of the Stars in “Fiddler on the Roof,” appearing at Wolf Trap and Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. He toured Russia in “The Bald Soprano.” He appeared in “The Manson Story” at Lincoln Center. He received a Suzi Bass Best Actor nomination for “Diary of a Madman” in Atlanta. Other favorite roles include “Six Pack,” “Coward of the County” and “North and South.” For more information, go to www.jonhayden.net
Mrs. Banks: Jo Howarth played Ethelene in the world premiere of Topher Payne’s “Lakebottom Proper” at the Springer last spring. She appeared in “A Christmas Carol” at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. Her Atlanta appearances include “Butterflies Are Free” at Stage Door Players, “Medicine Showdown” at Flying Carpet Theatre, “Ice Glen” at Essential Theatre, “Suddenly Last Summer” at Actor’s Express, “Driving Miss Daisy” and “Bold Grace” at Theatre Gael and Payne’s plays “Don’t Look at the Fat Lady,” “Above the Fold” and “Relations Unknown” at Process Theatre and “Attala County Garden.”
Telephone repair man: Jim Pharr works on the Springer staff as education assistant. He was in “The Full Monty” at the Springer and has been in “Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business,” “Cloud 9,” “Machinal,” “Bat Boy: The Musical” at Columbus State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in theater. His Chattahoochee Shakespeare Co. credits include “The Rocky Horror Show” and “Reefer Madness.”
Delivery Man: Gil Hunter has performed in four national tours for Springer Theatricals. Gil was in “The Full Monty” last seson. His favorite roles include “Knight of the Burning Pestle,” “A Christmas Carol,” “The World Goes ‘Round,” “A Little Night Music,” “Othello” and “Big River.” He is assistant to the artistic director and tour manager at the Springer.
